DA 08-940
Released: April 24, 2008
MEDIA BUREAU RELEASES UPDATED VERSION OF “THE PUBLIC AND BROADCASTING” AND ANNOUNCES THAT BROADCAST INFORMATION SPECIALISTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INQUIRIES
In its recent Report on Broadcast Localism and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the Commission concluded that the record in the localism proceeding (MB Docket No. 04-233) revealed a substantial need or greater public understanding of broadcaster obligations, and of the procedures by which the Commission enforces those obligations. The Commission expressed its desire to better educate members of the public about the tools available to them, should they believe that their local broadcast stations are not fulfilling their service obligations. To that end, the Commission directed the Media Bureau to update The Public and Broadcasting,” a publication that all broadcasters must maintain in their public inspection files.1 The Commission also stated that it would establish a contact point within the agency for public inquiries about broadcast matters.
In response to these Commission directives, today, the Media Bureau has released an updated version of “The Public and Broadcasting.”2 Including links to places on the FCC’s website that offer additional relevant information as to the matters discussed, this publication provides an overview of the FCC’s regulation of broadcast radio and television licensees, describes how broadcast stations are authorized, and explains the various rules and policies relating to broadcast programming and operations with which stations must comply, including the obligation to serve their local communities. It also explains how members of the public can become involved in assessing whether local broadcast stations are complying with these requirements. The publication is also intended to make the public aware of FCC procedures and the tools at their disposal, in the event that they conclude that any of their localstations do not meet these responsibilities.
